Torturing myself with decision

[rosiebean]

As you said, you’re not saving that much by switching to a value. And personally, I don’t think the little you’d save after dining is worth giving up park hoppers or a moderate resort (I usually stay at deluxe but also stay at moderates and love them...but I can’t do a value for more than a couple of nights for a variety of reasons, including room sizel). In any case, good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Mmouse1588]

As you said, you’re not saving that much by switching to a value. And personally, I don’t think the little you’d save after dining is worth giving up park hoppers or a moderate resort (I usually stay at deluxe but also stay at moderates and love them...but I can’t do a value for more than a couple of nights for a variety of reasons, including room sizel). In any case, good luck and have a great trip!

Yes even my husband agrees now(which is surprising) that the cost of food vs the free quick service deal we have now isnt worth losing a day and the hopper and a better resort. So most likely sticking with the original plan.

 

[SG131]

Yes even my husband agrees now(which is surprising) that the cost of food vs the free quick service deal we have now isnt worth losing a day and the hopper and a better resort. So most likely sticking with the original plan.

Another thing to add in regards to the park hopper, will you guys be trying to ride rotr? It’s impossible to predict what the system will look like in Sept and if the ride will be running, but with the current system park hoppers are a big help.

 

[Mmouse1588]

Another thing to add in regards to the park hopper, will you guys be trying to ride rotr? It’s impossible to predict what the system will look like in Sept and if the ride will be running, but with the current system park hoppers are a big help.

Yes we will. I just rode it last week. I went down with my mom and sister. But in September my husband and son will want to try and ride it for sure. it will be interesting to see what the protocol will be then.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

We do Pop or deluxe. I'm not a fan of mods. Pop is great in that it is compact. Dedicated buses AND the Skyliner. I think it's a good choice for you, especially with that savings. You'll probably spend half of that 1250 on food.

Agree completely with your here.

OP, we recently booked a standard room at Pop and requested the 60’s section. To my surprise, that request was granted. Because of the Skyliner, we took fewer total steps to reach the entrance of Epcot and about an equal number of steps to reach HS than our previous stay which was at Yacht Club.

The Skyliner from Pop also opens up a good number of dining options at the Crescent Lake resorts as well as Riviera without much effort or travel time.

As for the value of the dining plan, that great debate could go around in circles forever, and I suppose there’s no right or wrong answer. But for our family, we gave it up a few years ago and it has been so great to not have to think about ordering meals that offer the best value for our credits. We are also beginning to age out of many of the character buffets. We eat what we want, when we want, and no longer feel the need to gravitate toward the most expensive entrees on the menu.

 

[Mmouse1588]

Port Orleans Riverside is my favorite resort, and I’ve stayed at several deluxe resorts. My advice is to stay at POR. You don’t need the quick service meal plan or hoppers unless the special price including those works out better for you than a room only deal.

I am looking forward to staying at POR again. I think its where we will ultimately stay. I haven't been there since i was a kid but it holds soo many fond memories i made with my family. What has your experience been with the busses? How far away have your rooms been? We are not getting preferred. I see a lot of complaints of the food court but as a kid I always loved it lol

 

[Ensusieasm]

I always request POR’s Magnolia Bend section. I’ve never stayed in Alligator Bayou. Acadia building 80 has the North bus stop. Magnolia Terrace Building 85 has the East Bus stop. I prefer these stops over the main (South) bus stop which can be both crowded and confusing.
Both buildings are a very reasonable distance from the Main pool and food locations. The quiet pool shared by these two buildings is lovely. I never have a car, and always use the buses and boats. Most waits are very reasonable, every once in a while you might have a long wait, like after the MK fireworks, so plan on that. But, over all, the transportation is good. Try the turkey dinner at the food court. Excellent and reasonably priced.
Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride and the relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs. I stayed at POR 4 times this past year for a total of 18 nights. It’s like home. Check out the unofficial website portorleans.org
and .....Enjoy!

 

[Ksquared]

I would stay with your original plan. I agree once you add the numbers up, you are not really saving as much money as you think and I"d not want to give up a day if I didn't absolutely have to. I think you did a good job making adjustments to this trip to accommodate other things so just go with this plan and enjoy!

 

[ClapYourHands]

You said you would spend $125 per day on food, times 6 equals $750, plus $100 for a character buffet, would be $850 for food. So the $1250 savings minus $850 for food is only a $400 savings.

The $100 character breakfast can’t be included here because it’s not part of the QS plan. It would have to be OOP anyway, making the savings at least $500, not $400 to start.

Although OP says she’d spend $125 on food, it’s not possible for two adults and a 4-year-old to eat $125 worth of food per day on a QS dining plan unless they’re drinking alcohol. Adult meals are about $15 for lunch and dinner. There are a few QS meals that are a bit more, but those are the exception and still under $20. Kids meals run about $8.

The DP has changed so now a kid on the DP has to order from the kid menu. The credits are separated out as adult and child credits, closing a loophole.

So, even if the adults went out of their way to order the most expensive meals at around $18/meal * 2 meals * 2 adults, that’s still only about $72. Add another $16 for two kid meals, and you’re up to $88. Now find snacks that cost $5 * 2 snacks * 3 people and the additional $30 only brings you up to $118. I realize that’s not much under $125, but I purposely pushed it to the high end. The reality is that people ordering as they normally would (not seeking out the most expensive options) would naturally come out at a lower price point.

More typical OOP costs would be $15 * 2 meals * 2 adults = $60. Plus $8 * 2 kid meals = $76 plus $5 * 3 snacks = $91/ day